Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Surgery reduces mortality in prostate cancer but does not not influence quality of life or overall survival

Surgery reduces mortality in prostate cancer but does not not influence quality of life or overall survival

September 11, 2002

Two large Scandinavian studies evaluating the long-term effect of prostate cancer treatment are published in The New England Journal of Medicine this week.

In the first study, 695 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer were randomised assigned to radical prostatectomy or watchful waiting. The result shows that radical prostatectomy significantly reduced disease-specific mortality, but there were no significant difference between surgery and watchful waiting in terms of overall survival. However, men assigned to radical prostatectomy had decreased urinary obstruction and reduced risk of distant metastases.

In a follow-up study on the quality of life of 326 men, the negative effects of surgery or watchful waiting were analysed.

Erectile dysfunction was more common in the group that had undergone surgery compared to the watchful waiting group (80 percent vs. 45). However, many of the men reported having an active sex life and intercourse despite erectile dysfunction. Quality of life did not differ between the two groups.

Previously it was believed that radical prostatectomy increase survival, but on behalf of a reduced quality of life for the patient. In conclusion, the results from this study show that the choice of treatment does not influence quality of life. The researchers conclude that each man must judge for himself which treatment is preferable. Some men give full priority to survival whereas others want to avoid therapy-induced distressful symptoms.

Most of the men that took part in the study were diagnosed due to clinical symptoms.
Only 5.2 percent were discovered after screening for prostate-specific antigens. The average age in both groups was 64.7 years old. Prostate cancer is normally a slowly developing disease.

Vetenskapsrådet (The Swedish Research Council)




Related Prostate Cancer Current Events and Prostate Cancer News Articles Prostate Cancer Current Events and Prostate Cancer News RSS Prostate Cancer Current Events and Prostate Cancer News RSS
Drop in cancer deaths tied primarily to gains in behavior and screening
Improvements in behavior and screening have contributed greatly to the 13 percent decline in cancer mortality since 1990, with better cancer treatments playing a supporting role, according to new research from David Cutler of Harvard University.

Prostate cancer spurs new nerves
Prostate cancer - and perhaps other cancers - promotes the growth of new nerves and the branching axons that carry their messages, a finding associated with more aggressive tumors, said researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in the first report of the phenomenon that appears today in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

Relationship between prostate information and lower urinary-tract symptoms evident
In the December issue of European Urology (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/eururo) Dr. Curtis Nickel and associates report on the evidence of a relationship between prostate inflammation and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men enrolled in the REDUCE trial.

A card-swipe for medical tests
University of Utah scientists successfully created a sensitive prototype device that could test for dozens or even hundreds of diseases simultaneously by acting like a credit card-swipe machine to scan a card loaded with microscopic blood, saliva or urine samples.

Media coverage of lung cancer is increasing, and increasingly negative, new report shows
CancerCare today announced that despite an overall increase in news reporting on lung cancer, the overall tone of lung cancer media coverage has become significantly more negative.

Supercomputer provides massive computational boost to biomedical research at TGen
In less time than the blink of an eye, the Translational Genomics Research Institute's new supercomputer at Arizona State University can do operations equal to every dollar in the recent Wall Street bailout.

Prostate cancer gene test provides new early detection
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male cancers in the Western world. Currently, early detection of PCa depends on an abnormal digital rectal examination and an elevated prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) level requiring a prostate biopsy, often associated with anxiety, discomfort, complications, and heavy expenses.

New Catheter-less Technique May Ease the Pain and Discomfort of Prostate Cancer Recovery
To ease the pain of recovery following prostate cancer surgery, physician-scientists have developed an innovative and patient-friendly approach that eliminates the use of a penile urinary catheter.

Racial disparities decline for cancer in Missouri
Cancer death rates in the United States are highest among African Americans, but a new report shows that in Missouri the disparity in cancer incidence and death between African Americans and whites is declining.

OHSU Cancer Institute researchers study breathing during radiation
Oregon Health & Science University researchers have determined exactly how much breathing affects prostate movement during radiation treatment.
More Prostate Cancer Current Events and Prostate Cancer News Articles


Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer, Second Edition
by Patrick C. Walsh, Janet Farrar Worthington

EVERY MAN NEEDS THIS BOOK! Each year, more than 200,00 American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. The good news is that more men are being cured of this disease than ever before. Now in a revised second edition, this lifesaving guide by Dr. Patrick Walsh and ard-winning science writer Janet Farrar Worthington offers a message of hope to every man facing this illness. Prostate cancer is...



You Can Beat Prostate Cancer
by Robert J. Marckini

The task of choosing the right prostate cancer treatment is daunting. It is further complicated by conflicting information the patient receives from physicians and the Internet. This book is written by a prostate cancer survivor who now runs an international prostate cancer support group. It's about his journey and the important things he learned along the way. It is the book the author wishes...



Eat to Beat Prostate Cancer Cookbook
by David Ricketts

Prostate cancer is now the most common nonskin cancer among men in the United States. In 2005 alone, 250,000 new cases were diagnosed, and that number is certain to rise with each passing year. No one is more aware of this than David Ricketts, experienced cookbook author and recent prostate cancer survivor.Shortly after surgery and radiation treatments, Ricketts began to research food and...



Prostate Cancer for Dummies
by Paul H. Lange, Christine Adamec, Christine Adamec

Hearing that you have prostate cancer, or even that you may have it, is very scary. But this disease, in many cases, is curable. Even if you have advanced cancer that's spread beyond the prostate, many treatments help extend your life for years. You need good information to help you with the decisions that lie ahead, and this book provides you with this information. Prostate Cancer For...



Prostate And Cancer: A Family Guide To Diagnosis, Treatment And Survival (3rd Edition)
by Sheldon Marks

The major reference book for men concerned about or diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer has become the most-diagnosed cancer in America and the second leading killer of men. Sadly, more than 189,000 men will be diagnosed with the disease in 2002. Dr. Sheldon Marks, a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, is the authority that many have come to depend on--both...



Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery
by Bradley Hennenfent

The niche bestseller "Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery" begins with the shooting of a urologist and includes a World War II Battle. The book exposes the big lie about radical prostate surgery, is filled with cartoons and simple diagrams, and is written for the average layperson in easy-to-understand style. "Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery" quotes Dr. Gary Onik, M.D.,...



Prostate Cancer: A Cleveland Clinic Guide (Cleveland Clinic Guides)
by Eric A Klein

In this Cleveland Clinic Guide, one of the world's most respected experts explains the anatomy and function of the prostate gland and provides a thorough review of prostate cancer. Some of the topics covered include risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis - including tests and procedures, treatment choices, and other diseases of the...



A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient's Guide
by Stephen Strum, Donna L. Pogliano

¡§A Primer on Prostate Cancer, The Empowered Patient¡¦s Guide¡¨ is a basic resource to be used by patients and physicians when there has been a diagnosis of prostate cancer. It outlines a strategy of disease management that is designed to maximize outcomes for the patient and his loved ones. All aspects of diagnosis and testing are discussed; all currently approved treatments for prostate...

100 Questions & Answers About Prostate Cancer
by MD. , John Heaney, MD. , Cliff Gill Pamela Ellsworth



The Prostate Cancer Treatment Book
by Peter Grimm, John Blasko, John Sylvester

The latest and most progressive treatment advice from prostate cancer experts at the nation's top medical centers For each of the nearly 200,000 Americans diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, the months following the diagnosis are a time of momentous decisions and enormous emotional strain. This book offers readers complete answers to all their questions about the best treatment options for...

© 2008 BrightSurf.com